Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with roughly 185,000 men diagnosed in 1998 and claiming 39,000 lives from it. Risk of developing this cancer increases with age and it is more common in men over ages 60-65. It is significantly more common in African-American men. Lifetime risk of developing this cancer is about 16-20% (1in 5 to 6).
It is estimated that 40% of men over age of 50 have microscopic areas of cancer in their prostate gland. However, only 8% of men will develop clinically significant disease and only 3% will die of this disease. Prostate cancer grows very slowly in older men and does not contribute to the cause of death in majority of cases.
CAUSES OF PROSTATE CANCER
The cause of this cancer is unknown. However, certain factors increase the risk of developing prostate cancer:
• Increasing age
• African-American men
• Family history of prostate cancer
• High dietary fat
• Vasectomy
Genetic factors
• Socioeconomic Status
• Cigarette smoking
• Occupational exposure to Cadmium Heavy metal
• Sexual activity and sexually transmitted illnesses
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Patients do not have any signs at very early stages. As the disease progresses, patients may notice any of the following:
• Difficulty in urinating
• Burning while passing urine
• Increased frequency of urination
• Difficulty in starting the urine stream
• Blood in urine
• Pain while urinating
• Bone pain
• Swelling of legs
STAGING
The next step after establishing the diagnosis is staging which is done by CT scan or MRI of pelvis and abdomen and bone scan.
Treatment
Treatments for prostate cancer are effective in most men.
• They cause both short- and long-term side effects that may be difficult to accept.
• You and your life partner or family members should discuss your treatment options in detail with your urologist and other physicians.
• Make sure you understand which treatments are available, how effective each is likely to be, and what side effects can be expected.
• You must weigh all these choices carefully before making a decision about which course to pursue.
PREVENTION
Because the cause of prostate cancer is uncertain, preventing prostate cancer may not be possible. Certain risk factors, such as age, race, sex, and family history, cannot be changed. However, because diet has been implicated as a potential cause, living a healthy lifestyle may afford some protection.
• Proper nutrition, such as limiting intake of foods high in animal fats and increasing the amount of fruits, vegetables, and grains, may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
• Eating certain foods that contain substances called antioxidants (vitamins C and E and beta carotene) may be protective.
• Some research suggests that taking vitamin E, an antioxidant, may reduce the risk of not only prostate cancer but also other cancers. This theory remains unproven.
